WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23: EAST REGIONAL, FIRST ROUND >>>

Well whaddaya know! It's still March, and dagnabit if all that "Madness" isn't still in the air! What's one to do with all that pent up "madness?" It can make for quite a dilemma. ...

Unless, of course, you've found something like the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Pizza to help get you through. Throughout the month (and into early April, even) the Volcano's readers will be voting on the South Sound's best pizza through daily head-to-head matchups here on Spew. We started with 64 pizza joints, and only one can be crowned king.

Without further ado, let's get down to business.

Yesterday's Results

Oldschool Pizzeria vs. Chuck E. Cheese

The nice thing about being a number one seed is it usually means you've got a paddy-cake game the first round. So was the case for Oly pizza powerhouse Oldschool Pizzeria, which easily handled the 16-seeded Chuck E Cheese by securing more than 80 percent of the vote. Even better, Oldschool Pizzeria survived the contest without picking up some sort of skin fungus from the ball pit ... so bonus!

Brewery City Pizza vs. Apollo Pizza & Pasta

For a relatively small town, Olympia has more than its fair share of top-notch pizza - which is going to make for some interesting battles down the road. With Vic's and Oldschool grabbing most of the headlines, Apollo can fly relatively under the radar. Oh, but the eaters of the area know - which is probably why Apollo took down the surprisingly good Brewery City Pizza, nabbing almost 60 percent of the votes.

al Forno Ferruzza vs. Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor

Serving slices to the intoxicated masses Portland street vendor style out a window of the Eastside Club is business genius, probably why Olympia's relatively new al Forno Ferruzza does it. However, name recognition also goes long way - and Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor has been slinging pepperoni laden food discs for three decades. In this contest, name recognition carried the day, with Dirty Dave's securing roughly 75 percent of the votes and winning easily.

Mercato Ristorante vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza

If there's a trend developing it's that Tournament of Pizza voters are wowed by elegance or unique toppings. Sure, and fancy pie can get you somewhere in the Tournament of Pizza, but it doesn't guarantee anything - and your pizza foundation has to be sound before voters will get behind some of the stranger stuff. While Mercato Ristorante gushes sophistication and class, voters flocked toward the down home, Tumwater-style, brick oven goodness of Infernos in this contest, awarding the decked out pizza joint roughly 60 percent of the vote.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the next round:

• Oldschool Pizzeria
• Apollo Pizza & Pasta
• Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor
• Infernos Brick Oven Pizza

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. 

CONTEST CLOSED. SEE THURSDAY'S SPEW POSTS FOR RESULTS AND NEW BATTLES.

Aversano's vs. Big Nick's Pizza & Pasta

Aversano's in Sumner is locally legendary. Hell, growing up in Edgewood and going to school in Puyallup, even the Volcano's editor Matt Driscoll dined there on a few family outings and awkward high school dates. Amidst the backdrop of a full-on Italian restaurant, Aversano's pizza has always been a major draw. They'll be a tough pie to take down, in any round of Tournament of Pizza action. Big Nick's Pizza & Pasta, a go-to spot for delivery on Tacoma's East Side will see if it's up to the task.

• Aversano's (6015 Parker Road E., Sumner)
• Big Nick's Pizza & Pasta (63527 McKinley Ave., Tacoma)

Big Wheel Steakhouse vs. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

Is there a sushi bar at Big Wheel Steakhouse yet? No. Well, there is pizza. We know this for a fact, and only partly because in the past the Weekly Volcano has made a pig of itself of mowing down $5 one-topping pies while playing organized beer pong. (Cue the Bon Jovi‘s "It's My Life" ...). There's no sushi at the Powerhouse in Puyallup either, but there are some fairly artfully made pies for the locale. The Powerhouse's sun dried tomato pizza fits this bill, though masterpieces like "the Overload" - featuring cameos by sausage, pepperoni and salami - erases any pretension stirred by spinach-basil pesto. Today, Big Wheel and the Powerhouse face off.

• Big Wheel Steakhouse (11401 Steele St. S., Tacoma)
• Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery (454 E. Main, Puyallup)

Flying Tomato Italian Grill vs. Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Our readers often have plenty to say about Federal Way, but very rarely is it glowing praise. However, that's exactly what the historic Vince's in Federal Way received during Tournament of Pizza seeding, and to those who know good area pizza it should come as no surprise. Hatched by the real deal (Italian couple Vince and Ada) way back in the '50s, this is a restaurant that's stood the test of time because of quality food and a commitment to authenticity. At the Flying Tomato Italian Grill in Graham the menu calls it "Pisa," but informed mouths know what they're getting into. Untraditional pies like Thai and Philly Cheese Steak find a home on the Flying Tomato menu, but this is a joint that knows where it's from - with all the standards also well represented. Who will emerge victorious? The votes will decide. ...

• Flying Tomato Italian Grill (10224 198th St., Graham)
• Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (32411 Pacific Hwy. S., Federal Way)

Rollies Tavern vs. Right Spot

Rollies Tavern is known for a couple things. For prowling ladies, it's a good spot to catch air force types all suited up and sexy. But it's even a better spot to find pizza, which is something the popular establishment has built a name on. Speaking of "spots," Fife's Right Spot - king of bar food and regulars, not to mention home to a number of formidable pies - will face off with Rollies in first round Tournament of Pizza action. May the best dive win.

• Rollies Tavern (2404 112th St. S., Tacoma)
• Right Spot (5119 Pacific Hwy. E., Fife)

Tomorrow's Pizza Battles: Greater Downtown Tacoma Region


Game 1: Katie Downs (3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Alfred's Cafe & Bubble Room (402 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma)

Game 2: Engine House No. 9 (611 N. Pine St., Tacoma) vs. Abella Pizzeria (1946 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Game 3: Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza (3518 S. Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. The Harmon Hub (203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)

Game 4: Puget Sound Pizza (317 S. Seventh St., Tacoma) vs. Sidebar Bistro (1101 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)

LINK: What's up with this pizza tournament?

LINK: Oh hell yes I want the Weekly Volcano newsletter!



Comment On This Post

COMING SOON >>>

Whether or not the folks at O'Malley's Irish Pub were ready for people to know they have designs on the building down the street, word travels fast. A smile could be heard in O'Malley's co-manager Josh Norris's voice during a conversation last week as he confided, "I think Jack (Dolan) at Sluggo has told every person that goes in his store that we're going to open up a second spot in there."

Sluggo is scheduled to close at the end of March. By late May or June, the folks at O'Malley's hope to be slinging pizza from the spot.

To read the full story, click here.

TV SHOWS ARE FUNNY >>>

From the Dr. Phil alarm clock ("You need to wake up!") to "Lifestyles of the Disappearing Middle Class with Robin Leach," impersonations are the hallmark of comedian Don Friesen, headlining Comedy in the Box Thursday.

Friesen was the first comic to win the San Francisco International Comedy Competition twice - in 1999 and again in 2005. What he's been up to lately, though, is anyone's guess.

His website clearly hasn't been recently updated. But some bits are timeless, like one about "Seinfeld," a show that if not fresh is unforgettable. Jerry, Kramer and George have an animated discussion on whether or not to tuck in one's shirt.

Jerry: "If you must know, I'm thinking of going untucked."

George: "Not me, baby, I'm a tucker."

[The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Don Friesen at Comedy in the Box, Thursday, March 24, 7:30 p.m. 21+, $12.50, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, 360.753.8586]

DEVIL HORNS AND RED CARPET >>>

Typically, awards shows are the worst. Bobble Tiki would rather endure a no anesthetic root canal than tune in for the Grammies, Golden Globes or even Oscars. It's like watching paint dry ... only more boring and predictable. Saturday, however, an awards frenzy to end all awards frenzies will enrapture Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, as the 2011 Tacoma Metal Choice Awards will be handed out - honoring Tacoma's top metal band as voted on by devil-horn waving fans of our area (via the Internets) throughout February. Billed as a "red carpet event," the Metal Choice Awards Saturday at Hell's Kitchen will feature scene stalwarts like Unhailoed, Devils of Loudon, Faces Pale, After the Fallout and Plague Ships - all of whom will no doubt be in fine form when it comes time for an acceptance speech. Also, expect surprise metal guests. It's going to be very Tacoma, and very awesome.

[Hell's Kitchen, Tacoma Metal Choice Awards with Unhailoed, Devils of Loudon, Faces Pale, After the Fallout, Plague Ships, 9 p.m., $5, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LONG TIME IN THE MAKING >>>

In what will come as joyous news to all followers and supporters of the upstart Tacoma Food Co-op's attempts to secure a permanent storefront location, the TFC announced today via official press release that they've reached a lease agreement with Neighborhood Market (3002 Sixth Ave.) owner John Loesch. The Tacoma Food Co-op's next challenge will be raising the $300-$400,000 needed to actually open the doors.

No word yet on when the Tacoma Food Co-op's new physical locale plans to open.

The official press release is below ...

Read more...

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Melanie Rushforth, in regard to this morning's breaking story about the intentions of O'Malley's Irish Pub to open a family-friend Italian restaurant and pizza by the slice joint in the space to be vacated by Sluggo Music.

Rushforth writes,

YESSS!!! I love pizza! I love O'Malley's! I love 6th Ave! Maybe, now just maybe, Tap into T-Town 2012 will include a little something like "what used-to-be-a-music-store now serves up pizza by the slice?" Hmmm. Think about it.

Oh, and DefCon1, don't hate, man. Geez.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011 >>>

1. Kellogg's Disney Princess Fruit Snacks do not actually taste like princesses. They also don't taste like artificially flavored strawberry, grape, orange, and cherry. We don't know which is worse. What do they taste like? We spent a lot of time thinking about this while sucking on them. We haven't come to any conclusion, except we now need a spring cleanse. Dr. Karen Hurley of Federal Way Naturopathy says we can start to feel better by detoxifying from the rich, calorie-dense foods and emotional highs and lows we tend to consume during the winter season. Thanks Hurley, you're awesome. Hurley will lecture on the subject at 7 p.m. inside Marlene's Market & Deli in Federal Way.

2. A terminally ill, single-parent struggles to find a home for his autistic 21 year-old son in the Chinese film Ocean Heaven screening at 6:30 p.m. inside the Blue Mouse Theatre as part of the Tacoma Sister Cities International Film Festival.

3. Christian Brotherhood Academy in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood  will screen the critically acclaimed movie Waiting for Superman at 7 p.m.. After the movie, they'll discuss the film and why Christian Brotherhood Academy is so awesome.

THIS HAPPENS TOMORROW: The Dockyard Derby Dames will host a Dance Party featuring Jello shots, prizes and rockin' country by Sammy Steele Band at 9 p.m. inside the Gruv Lounge on Sixth Avenue.

4. Menopause The Musical, an uplifting 90-minute production that includes parodies from the '60s and '70s and '80s, will hit the Washington Center stage at 8 p.m.

5. Photon Pharoah, Rockwell Powers and Rusty Cleavers perform at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

THURSDAY, MARCH 24: GREAT MATCHUPS TODAY >>>

Low and behold, today marks the closing of the Tournament of Pizza's first round. After today's battles the bracket will officially be down to only 32 area pizza joints, and the competitions are getting fiercer by the minute. Honestly, if it gets any more exciting we'll start to understand why Dick Vitale is always yelling. Plus we'll have serious heartburn.

Without wasting anyone's time with pepperoni related basketball innuendo, on to today's Weekly Volcano Tournament of Pizza action, which comes from the Downtown Tacoma Region.

Yesterday's Results

Aversano's vs. Big Nick's Pizza & Pasta

Unexpectedly, this was an epic battle ... the kind of thing Tournament of Pizza "instant classics" are made of. A surprisingly low scoring affair, with much of the action on defense, the third seeded Aversano's and the 14th seeded Big Nick's were in a dead heat - literally tied - going into the final hours of the competition. Back at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters, Tournament of Pizza officials frantically discussed what to do in the case of a tie? Overtime? Coin flip? See which establishment could deliver a pizza to our Lakewood office the fastest? Luckily, after a late social media push on our part (we were checking our Facebook anyway ...) Aversano's edged out the win, securing exactly 52.2 percent of the vote. This one will go down in the history books.

Big Wheel Steakhouse vs. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

Honestly, if you haven't had a little bit too much to drink during a construction business related lunch meeting at Puyallup's Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery, well, my friend, you've never lived. The landscaping can wait. Mixing dank-ass beer (that's a good thing, older readers) with pizzas with kick like "the Overload" is just so right in so many ways. The Powerhouse emerges victorious, having secured roughly 61 percent of the vote in a first round battle with Big Wheel Steakhouse.

Flying Tomato Italian Grill vs. Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Honestly, we're not sure why Vince's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria was the only Federal Way restaurant nominated by readers in this year's Tournament of Pizza (other than the obvious reason that our readership is largely based in Tacoma, Olympia and the closely surrounding areas), but what we do understand is Vince's has a following - so strong of a following, in fact, that the longtime pizza player was able to easily defeat Flying Tomato Italian Grill in Graham in yesterday's action in what amounted to a blowout. Vince's, after scoring 71 percent of the vote yesterday in a resounding victory, moves on to the second round ... still the only Federal Way establishment in the competition (here's lookin' at you, Federal Way comment section guy from yesterday).

Rollies Tavern vs. Right Spot

Rollies Tavern quickly comes to the lips of many when discussing the best South Sound pizzas. So, perhaps it's no surprise that the bar frequented by military types and pie-lovers alike did serious damage in yesterday's action, kicking Fife's Right Spot to the curb while garnering a staggering 74 percent of the vote. The final score included a late surge by the Right Spot in what basically amounted to Tournament of Pizza garbage time - with Rollies rolling with almost 85 percent of the vote for most of the day. Rollies moves on as a pizza to reckon with in later rounds of Tournament of Pizza action.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the next round:

• Aversano's
• Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery
  
• Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
  
• Rollies Tavern
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. 

>>> CONTEST CLOSED. CHECK FRIDAY'S SPEW POSTS FOR THE RESULTS OF THE BATTLES LISTED BELOW AND THE NEXT PIZZA BATTLES.

Katie Downs vs. Alfred's Café & Bubble Room

Katie Downs bills its pizza as "award winning," and it's no lie. The Ruston Way destination for stiff drinks and good hangs boasts one of the more well known pizzas in town. With unique creations like the Mariner and the Rainier, it's easy to understand why word has spread. And word has spread plenty since Katie Downs opened in the early '80s. Facing this storied past will be underdog Alfred's Café & Bubble Room, not necessarily known for its pizza, but a Tacoma institution nonetheless. Which Tacoma landmark will advance?

• Katie Downs (3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma)
• Alfred's Cafe & Bubble Room (402 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma)

Engine House No. 9 vs. Abella Pizzeria

Whoever wins this contest, you can't deny both have business savy. Engine House No. 9 has staked a claim in this city by providing a fun and relaxing atmosphere for college kids from nearby UPS to come drink beer and eat quintessential bar food - the pizza high on that list. On the other end, Abella Pizzeria knew enough to open its storefront smack-dab in the center of all the University of Tacoma Washington action - knowing damn well college kids love their pizza. Understandably, both intuitions have amassed strong followings. The Tournament of Pizza is the only logical way to handle this. ...

• Engine House No. 9 (611 N. Pine St., Tacoma)
• Abella Pizzeria (1946 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza vs. The Harmon Hub

Earlier in the Volcano's Tournament of Pizza, the DuPont Farrelli's location showed its dominance - advancing to second round action. Now it's time for the Farrelli's Tacoma location to see if it can duplicate that success. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere as its well-stocked bar area built well enough and stocked with enough fire water to contain the revelers, Farrelli's on Sixth Avenue is very rarely empty. But will it be up to the massive test of facing Pat Nagle's The Harmon Hub? Part of the Harmon collective of T-Town restaurants (see: The Harmon and The Harmon Tap Room), readers chose pizza from the Hub as the best of any Harmon enterprise has to offer. This one should be close.

• Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza (3518 S. Sixth Ave., Tacoma)
• The Harmon Hub (203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)

Puget Sound Pizza vs. Sidebar Bistro

Whenever we pick up a pie from Puget Sound Pizza we always feel the need to tip heavily; we fear we'll come off as "uncool" otherwise. But the truth of that statement lies in the fact we keep coming back despite this - the pie is that good. Throw in some drunken karaoke and you've got yourself the perfect Grit City night on the town. Will the lawyer type hangout and relative newbie that calls the former Red Kelly's spot home, the Sidebar Bistro, be up to the challenge of taking on Tacoma's "coolest" pizza joint? Again, only the votes will decide. ...

• Puget Sound Pizza (317 S. Seventh St., Tacoma)
• Sidebar Bistro (1101 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)

Tomorrow's Pizza Battles: SECOND ROUND BABY!

Game 1: Cloverleaf Pizza (6430 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante (2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma)

Game 2: Delbrocco's Philly Style Pizza (3908 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Pizza Casa (12924 Pacific Hwy. SW, Lakewood)

Game 3: Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza (1590 Wilmington Dr., DuPont) vs. Ricardo's Restaurant (5211 Lacey Blvd. S, Lacey)

Game 4: Casa Mia (716 Plum St., Olympia) vs. Vic's Pizzeria (233 Division St. NW, Olympia)

LINK: What's up with this pizza tournament?

LINK: Oh hell yes I want the Weekly Volcano newsletter!

MUSICAL GOODNESS IN STORE IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

Amidst all the craziness of March Madness, the Tournament of Pizza, Liz Taylor's death and shit like this, we still managed to come up with a Weekly Volcano music section  - conveniently packaged in the issue of the Weekly Volcano hitting streets today.

Here's a sneak peek at the musical goodness in store in print & online ...

SXSW RECAP

Last week may have marked the silver anniversary of the South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas, but it was my first time attending. Looking back on the experience, I'm mystified by the apparent absence of a unifying narrative or clear, inarguable breakout star. I'd been led to believe that SXSW is a nexus where the music industry's major players and bottom-feeders alike conspire to collectively discover "the next big thing." Maybe I wasn't listening in on the proper grapevines, but it seems to me that the two artists to depart with a flurry of hype at their heels - minimalist dubstep composer James Blake and LA aggro-rap collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All - were the same ones that entered the conference with the most hype. - Jason Baxter

NORMAN BEATS

On Feb. 24 Beats was in the audience of the sold out Macklemore show at The Royal Lounge, meaning he got to hear and see 400 people react to XP performing his newest banger "Again" - a track produced by Norman Beats.

"It's one of the dopest beats I've ever made," Beats has been quoted as saying. - Nic Leonard

ILLIZM

Another big local release just happened this month. Tacoma's Illizm has a new album available for download on iTunes. Illizm's new album is titled Adamantium ... Where my comic nerds at? Notable production on the album comes from Washington's own Swift Holiday. - Josh Rizeberg

SLUGGO SAYS GOODBYE

After 32 years in business, Sluggo Music is closing its doors. By the end of the month every gold cymbal, every wood-grained guitar and every last guitar pick will be sold off. The iconic Sluggo sign on the front of the building will disappear. Upstart musicians will lose their Sixth Avenue spot for Ernie Ball guitar strings and expert musical knowledge.  - Brett Cihon

PLUS: Better Living Through Music - Tacoma Metal Awards, Sic Alps, Strangled Darlings and Osama Bin Rockin

PLUS: Concert Alert

PLUS: The most extensive live local music listings in the South Sound

PLUS: Things like this

ONE LESS CORPORATE BOX TO BROWSE >>>

When it comes to book shopping, there's nothing I like more than an awesome local bookstore. King's and Tacoma Book Center have consumed oh so many of my dollars over the years.

But when it comes to book browsing, well, it's tough to beat the kind of scale you find at the giant cube that is Borders by the Tacoma Mall. I've spent hours sifting through travel books to everywhere or sitting in a corner of the food section drooling over recipe ideas. And then there's the time spent standing baffled at the sheer number of Star Wars books that have been written since I gave up trying to read them all. ...

So it's with no great feeling of tragedy, but still a touch of sadness, that I learned of the Tacoma Borders' imminent demise. With the Gig Harbor store already on the way out, Tacoma-along with Federal Way-was added in a second wave to the official closure list last Thursday.

Proceedings begin today with the commencement of the requisite inventory clearance sale, and most newly-axed stores are targeted for late-May closing.

So long, Borders. You were a giant, corporate box, but I liked wandering around in you anyway.